Volunteer Notes

November 26, 2003

County official, volunteers encourage family reading

Anne Arundel County Human Services Officer Alvin Collins and a host of volunteers are collaborating with Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Annapolis to encourage families to read. Customers can donate new books to Books for Babies and Big Kids, Too!

The project is an outgrowth of the Local Management Board's Early Childhood Community Partnership with the state. Collins and other volunteers will donate gift-wrapping services to Barnes & Noble customers from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 5 at the store to further publicize the initiative. 410-222-1234 or 877-817-8687.

Emergency preparedness training is available

Emergency preparedness information and training is now available to communities through the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management.

Volunteers will provide community emergency preparedness to county residents. Programs and presentations can be customized to meet the needs of any particular group or organization. 410-222-8040.

Volunteer Center has new list of opportunities

The Volunteer Center For Anne Arundel County has a Holiday Volunteer Guide listing volunteer opportunities available through next month.

A free copy is available from the Volunteer Center, 2666 Riva Road, Suite 130, Annapolis, or via e-mail by sending a request to info@volunteerannearundel.org. This new Holiday Volunteer Guide will be posted soon on the Volunteer Center's Web site: www.VolunteerAnneArundel.org and can be downloaded for free.

For more information, contact the center at 410-897-9207 or at info@volunteerannearundel.org.

Help sought to decorate downtown storefronts

Volunteer positions are available through the Volunteer Center for Anne Arundel County. Among them:

Captain Salem Avery House, a Shady Side waterman's museum, needs help with holiday events, including the Children's Holiday Tree-trimming from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 7. Volunteers are needed to assist with children's activities and greet visitors, as well as to assist with a Christmas Brunch on Dec. 14. Call Janet Surrett at 410-867-4486. E-mail: captainavery@prodigy.net. Web site:www.averyhouse.org.

Christian Assistance Program, in cooperation with 12 West County churches, helps community residents in need of crisis assistance. Volunteers are needed for CAP's food pantry at First Evangelical Lutheran Church on Odenton Road. Help is needed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. almost every Tuesday and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to stock shelves, bag food and assist customers. Call Barbara Perusse at 410-674-5527 or Carol Aleksei at 410-551-7879.

Chrysalis House in Crownsville provides addiction treatment services for women, including those with children, in a residential setting. Volunteers are needed to help collect and wrap Christmas gifts for Chrysalis House residents. Call Alice Leazer at 410-974-6829, Ext. 15.

First Night Annapolis 2003. Volunteers are needed through Jan. 1 to help in many different Capacities, including those interested in performing arts or in being a mime to promote First Night. Assignments are on a first-come, first-assigned basis. A three-hour shift, on New Year's Eve, rewards each volunteer with a free First Night Annapolis button and special volunteer recognition. Contact Ruth Shock at 410-268-8553 or volunteers@firstnightannapolis.org. Web site: www.firstnightannapolis.org.

Fouse Center, a Glen Burnie nonprofit that provides transitional housing for homeless men in northern Anne Arundel County, is seeking holiday donations including food, toiletries, clothing, cookware and linens. For more information and for drop-off directions, call Mario at 410-609-1224.